Imagine. You have chosen a field that you feel passionate about. You go to work, complete your tasks, meet your deadlines. And one day, you receive a phone call informing you that you have been named one of Avenue Magazine Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40.

What? You’re just doing your job! But it would appear you are not. You are surpassing expectations, stepping out of your comfort zone, going above and beyond…and someone has noticed.

Join us for Global Meetings Industry Day on April 6, 2017, and hear from our panel of 2016 Top 40 Under 40 winners, ALL from the meetings and events industry! Why did they choose this industry? How did they feel when they received the call? What do they feel they did to be recognized? How has life been since being named? We’ll ask these questions and more, and you will leave feeling inspired, knowing you can make a difference in our industry, and in our city.

Moderator: Jeff Wilson, Account Director at FMAV. See his BIO(@JeffWilson_YYC)

Speakers

We are pleased to announce that our special guest, Clark Grue, President and CEO of the Calgary Telus Convention Centre (and a 40 Under 40 alum), will open the event with some insights on business and the impact of meetings, and why he chose to recently join our industry.

Clark Grue President & CEO, Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Clark Grue is the President & CEO of the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC). A passionate promoter of Calgary and Canada; he is leading the CTCC team to build on the centre’s reputation as a world-class innovative centre for connecting people and ideas.

Mr. Grue co-founded Rainmaker Global Business Development Inc. in 2007, where he assisted public and private companies in their quest for sustainable business development, economic growth and diversification around the world.

Prior to launching Rainmaker, Mr. Grue served as Vice President, Investment and Trade with Calgary Economic Development. In addition, he established and led the British Trade Office in Calgary, the first of its kind in the world.

Mr. Grue is currently Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada. He also represents Canada on the B20 Trade & Investment Taskforce for the G20 Summit.

The CTCC was Canada’s first full service convention centre. The team enhances networking, promotes interaction and brings together global leaders and thinkers. Come and be part of the energy!

Breanne Sich is the Calgary Community Leader & Digital Marketing Manager for Mealshare Aid Society. Mealshare is social enterprise aimed at ending youth hunger both locally and internationally. She is a highly motivated individual, driven towards philanthropic endeavours. Graduating from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Commerce, Breanne takes a huge interest in Marketing and all that encompasses it. When she isn't working, she spends her time in photography, spin, and volunteering.

Erynn is the Co-Owner, Event Director and Creative Visionary of The Commons. Erynn has transformed the (circa 1919) building into an industrial-modern escape in the heart of Ramsay. Erynn’s passion for design combined with her goal to develop a space that facilitates creativity, productivity and community has resulted in several unique event venues. She leads a team that manages quaint meetings to raucous weddings and everything in between. Erynn and her co-owner and brother, Zach, were named as one of Avenue Magazine Top 40 under 40 in 2016.

Colin Smith Founder, Green Event Services

Through his company, Green Event Services, Colin Smith has diverted hundreds of thousands of pounds of waste from Calgary’s landfills and changed our expectations of responsible waste management at festivals and community events. Colin loves snowboarding and constantly seeking new experiences and knowledge about the world and people around him.

Zach is the Co-Owner, Operations Director and the Community Cultivator of The Commons. Originating from the hustle and bustle of real-estate, Zach has a profound appreciation for curating work-life balance at The Commons. Zach leads a team that steers The Commons ship, taking care of everything from making sure hot Rosso coffee is brewing to managing parking, expansion and construction projects and everything in between. Zach and his co-owner and sister, Erynn, were named as one of Avenue Magazine Top 40 under 40 in 2016.

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) will shine a light on the real impact meetings have on businesses, economies and communities. Meeting professionals organizations, association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners and other supporters will hold events all around the world to support this international day of advocacy.